VERSE OF THE WEEK: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,... Colossians 1:3-6a
PASTOR TO PASTOR
I have been reading the Torah as the new year as unfolded and been deeply touched by the relationship between God and His people, from Adam and Eve through Moses and Aaron. When I say deeply touched I mean deeply moved, deeply troubled, deeply confused, deeply thrilled...you get the picture.
I have been particularly enthralled by the relationship between God and Moses that begins in Exodus 3. I have been preaching from it some. I have called it Living on Flat Ground. The burning bush incident takes place at the base of the mountain. We all would like to live on the mountain...we hunger for and desire mountain top experiences. But the truth is most living is lived on flat ground...routine, ordinary, normal ground. It is where most of the birthin', breathin', workin', playin', bill payin', dien', and buryin'...takes place. Here are some things the Lord has shown me here:
1) This is holy ground. Just because it is ordinary and routine does not mean it is not to be treasured as special. The factory, the neighborhood, the grocery...holy ground.
2) It is holy because God is in the midst of it. We need to recognize him. He said to Moses, "I will be with you". Moses said, "Who are you?" He replied, "I Am". I don't need any other identifier, description, adjective, definition, or reference point. I Am
3) Faithful obedience in the flat land will breed an invitation to the mountain top. God said to Moses, "you will know that I have delivered you when you worship me on this mountain."
As pastors we often feel like we are stuck in the mundane, the ordinary, the common. We watch people repeat the same stuff over and over again. We feel like we are wading through sand. Yet it is in this land of the common and the ordinary, that God calls us to walk and work with Him, and as we are faithful He will enable us a few mountain top moments where we shall bask in the shadow of His shekinah glory.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
I have not published for a few weeks so here is a run down of where we have worshipped most recently:
Jan. 31 - Morning service at Slidell, LA where Pastor Eric Nelson was celebrating his 40th birthday with a number of friends who had gathered for the occasion. Lots of fun.
Afternoon rally of African American church in Hattiesburg (see below)
Feb. 7 - DS's Meeting in Florida. Morning service we listened to Dr. Eugenio Duarte and in the evening service we heard Dr. David Graves, two of our newest General Superintendents.
Feb. 14 - Got to preach in the morning Lake Charles First (LA) where Pastor Derek Catron was recovering from major surgery. Had a wonderful lunch with the Catrons and then preached Sunday night at Westlake (LA)and conducted the review of Pastor Mike Howard.
Feb. 21 - Preached at Ebenezer (LA)and conducted the review of Pastor Joe Talhelm. Had a wonderful dinner with the Talhelms. Sunday evening conducted the review for Pastor David Hoffpauir and preached at Trout (LA). Had a wonderful food fellowship afterwards.
Feb. 28 - Preached at Hazelhurst (MS) yesterday morning. Had a great dinner around the big round table and then met with the church board.
SPECIAL NOTES
Open Churches: (MS) Union, Vicksburg First, and Jackson Emmanuel
(LA) Kenner First and GracePointe
Important Prayer Requests:
Rev. Darwin Enicks (Baker, LA)is recovering from hip surgery in Baton Rouge. Please pray for a complete and quick recovery.
Rev. Derek Catron, pastor at Lake Charles First (LA), continues his recovery. He is now back to work.
Rev. Ruby Walters, pastor of Lucedale, has suffered paralysis of her vocal chords due to some recent surgery.
Continue to pray for Rev. Scott Howell (West Monroe Faith Community)who has been suffering from kidney stones for months. The Dr.s have tried many procedures and while some have given relief there is still much to be concerned about.
Brenda Teston, pastors wife at Moss Bluff (LA) continues her recovery from foot surgery.
Rev. Diane Adams, (associate at Meridian Fitkins, MS) is having surgery this week.
Continue to pray for Rev. Jerry Cole, McVay Memorial (LA), and Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)
Good News Reports
Congratulations to Rev. Dustin and Laura McDavid on the birth of a son, Silas Thane on Feb. 20. He was several weeks late and God was gracious in protecting baby and mother. The baby will be in the hospital for a few weeks. He joins brother Noah.
Congratulations to Rev. Sherrill Stiles (Vivian, LA) who was named Man of the Year in North Caddo. What a great honor.
Yesterday was a great day at Vicksburg First (MS). They took in a new member, had a new convert in the morning service, baptized 11 in the afternoon service, two were Hispanic, and elected a Hispanic member to the church board. Praise God.
Crossroads (MS) has seen over 50 people saved since May 27 of last year. Wow! PTL.
Wonderful reviews have been received by: Rev. Reggie Gilmore (NO First, LA), Rev. Joe Talhelm (Ebenezer, LA), Rev. David Hoffpauir (Trout, LA), Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA).
On January 31, we enjoyed a wonderful celebration of our African American churches when all of our churches from MS and LA gathered together in Hattiesburg. Several from other churches came as well. Dr. Charles Johnson, our Assistant to the District Superintendent, coordinated the event and preached. Special music and mime performances were shared by the other churches. Each of our pastors attended. It was a glorious day in the Lord. We appreciate Rev. Kermit Hudson and the Hattiesburg church for hosting us.
PALCONS are scheduled for Trevecca (TNU) Region May 11-14 and Southern (SNU) Region June 28-July 1. These are going to be incredible events and you are encouraged to start planning now to participate. As we enter a new year please put this in your budget. If one doesn't work in to your schedule try another. Dates of the other events are at http://www.nazazrenepastor.org/
Book I am Recommending: "So Beautiful" by Leonard Sweet
Sweet is like a lot of preachers, he doesn't quite know when he has said enough. He will drill a point home again and again often jumping from one metaphor to another. That can make for a tough read. However, the points he does make are meaty and resounding. In this book (as I mentioned in an earlier blog) he describes the life God intends for us as a Missional Life, a Relational Life, and an Incarnational Life. There is a lot of truth here that can help us to not only define our own lives, but to know what to expect in others.
Website I am Recommending: http://www.sermonaudio.com/
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “Faith is the opposite of control” Leonard Sweet
Let's Trade Prayers,
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